In order to meet the air defense needs of allied countries, Northrop's F-5E won the "International Fighter" (IFA) project proposed by the United States Air Force in 1970. In 1973, the first mass-produced F-5E was delivered to the U.S. Air Force to train national seed pilots who ordered the F-5E. Since 1974, the Air Force of the Republic of China has cooperated with Northrop Corporation and obtained authorization to assemble and produce F-5E and two-seat F-5F by itself. As of 1986, a total of 308 F-5E/Fs were produced, accounting for 1/4 of the number used worldwide. During the production period, improvements were made in the electronic system and aerodynamics. In 1996, seven newer F-5Es were commissioned by Singapore Technologies Aerospace Corporation to be converted into RF-5Es to replace the reconnaissance missions of the RF-104Gs.
In the 1990s, after next-generation fighter jets such as the F-CK-1, F-16 A/B Block 20, and Mirage 2000-5 entered service with the Air Force of the Republic of China, the F-5E/F only remained at the air force base in eastern Taiwan. Fully relegated to the role of second-line support. Since 1981, the 46th Squadron (imaginary enemy squadron) located at the Taitung base began to replace the F-5A/B with the F-5E/F, simulating the performance of the MiG-21 for confrontation training with other combat forces. However, as the performance of the F-5E/F gradually became unable to bear the function of imaginary enemies, in 2005, the No. 46 Squadron was relieved of the task of simulating imaginary enemies and switched to general tactical training. The F-5E/Fs that were released from the imaginary enemy mission were chartered, but eight of them still retained their original special paint. The RF-5E responsible for reconnaissance and photography missions was also reorganized from the original Taoyuan base into the 12th Squadron at the Hualien base in the same year.
Since 2011, the Air Force of the Republic of China, including the forty-six F-5E/F and RF-5E still in service, has reduced the color of the national emblem, equipment serial numbers and unit insignia on its main combat aircraft. In order to achieve better concealment effect, this batch of F-5 series fighter jets is expected to be retired by 2026.